First, an announcement: Don’t forget to set your clocks ahead 1 hour on Saturday Night when you go to bed. Failure to do so will result in your arriving at church at the end of the service. Thank you for your consideration.
Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. On Ash Wednesday, it is traditional to remember how we have been sinful, selfish, and arrogant in our lives and to ask God’s forgiveness. The imposition of ashes is not a mark of pride that shows others how pious we have been, but a humbling moment as we acknowledge our sinfulness and seek reconciliation with God. The scripture verses, without comment are:
Joel 2:1-2, 12-17
Psalm 51: 1-17 (why 18 and 19 are left out is a mystery)
2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 (I will read 6:1-18)
Lent is a season of preparation and reflection as we prepare for the biggest celebration of the Christian year: Easter. It is the remembering of the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the desert. Lent goes from Ash Wednesday to Holy Saturday (the day before Easter). If you count the days of Lent you will end up with 46 not 40. During Lent we don’t count Sundays since every Sunday is a mini-Easter, a celebration of the resurrection. Every year on the first Sunday in Lent we read the Gospel stories of the temptation of Christ. This Sunday is no different. Our readings follow.
Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-7 – The verses in chapter two are from the second account of the creation. Here, the man is placed in the Garden at Eden and told not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. God says that on that day the man will surely die. The verses that are skipped tell the story of God creating all living creatures to be a companion to the man. Since none are found to be the man’s helper, God creates woman. The verses in chapter 3 tell the story of Woman and Man giving in to the temptation offered by the serpent and eating from that tree. The reading, however, doesn’t complete the story and you should read the rest of the chapter. Oh, by the way, Man and Woman do not die at the time they eat the fruit. The first death recorded is the murder of Abel by Cain in chapter 4. I see a connection. Do you?
Psalm 32 – The psalmist rejoices in the forgiveness and steadfast love of the Lord for those who confess their sins.
Romans 5:12-19 – Four of the next five Sundays will have readings from Romans, though not in order. Again, why the Lectionary committee left off the final two verses of the chapter escapes me. I may read them in worship. Here Paul compares Adam (and Eve) to Christ. His argument is summed up in verse 18, “Therefore, just as one man’s trespass led to condemnation for all, so one man’s act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all.” This is another of many verses that seem to indicate salvation for all.
Matthew 4:1-11 – After Jesus’ baptism, the Spirit leads him out into the desert. Matthew seems to indicate that after 40 days of fasting the devil began the temptations. Mark and Luke indicate that the temptations occurred throughout the entire 40 days. The three temptations that Matthew and Luke report concern the temptation of body satiation, religious power, and political power. The devil quotes Scripture, thus showing us that scripture can easily be misused. Jesus also quotes scripture to resist and deny the temptation. The main feature of the temptations is Jesus’ denying or not believing the nature of his existence: “If you are the Son of God . . .” the devil repeats with each temptation. We are all tempted in small and great ways each day. How do we resist those temptations? Knowing the Bible is one step in the right direction.
May these reading guide you in your daily walk with God.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Friday, March 4, 2011
Readings for March 6 2011
This coming Sunday is the last Sunday of Epiphany and is the Sunday we celebrate the Transfiguration of Jesus. Lent begins on the following Wednesday when we have our Ash Wednesday Services.
Our lessons focus our attention on the Transfiguration.
Exodus 24:12-18 – When the Israelites leave Egypt they head to Mt. Sinai (Chapter 19) and Moses goes up the mountain to receive the Law of the Lord beginning with the 10 Commandments (chapters 20-23). At the beginning of Chapter 24 Moses comes down the mountain to tell the people all that God had told him (there are no tablets yet). In our passage this week, God tells Moses to come back up and he will be given the tablets with all the commandments and Law. When Moses got there the “Glory of the Lord” descended on the mountain in the form of a fog but to the people below it appeared like a “devouring fire.” Moses enters the cloud and is there for 40 days while God gives him more instructions (chapters 25-31). Moses’ long delay on the mountain is what prompts the Israelites to worship the golden calf (chapter 32).
Psalm 99 – The Psalmist extols the might and holiness of God who is just, equitable, and forgives. This is the God who spoke to Moses, Aaron, and Samuel in the pillars of clouds.
2 Peter 1:16-21 – Peter states in this passage that the message he brought to his churches was not one of myths or fiction, but a message of the glory of Christ that he and others personally witnessed while they were on the mountain with Jesus. Therefore, their witness (prophetic message) is confirmed by God. He calls his churches to pay attention to this light shining in the darkness.
Matthew 17:1-9 – Six days after Peter declares Jesus to be the Messiah, the Son of the Living God, Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up a mountain. Matthew flatly says the Jesus changed (was transfigured) before them. Moses and Elijah appear with Jesus prompting Peter, always brash, to declare that they would build three booths or tents for them. Suddenly they are enveloped by a cloud and the voice of God declares Jesus to be his Son, his beloved. The last three words of God comprise what I call the 11th Commandment of God and the only commandment of God given in the New Testament: “Listen to him”. With that, the disciples literally fall to the ground where they are roused by Jesus who is alone. As they descend the mountain Jesus tells the three disciples to tell no one.
May the written word of the Lord change your life to serve him.
Our lessons focus our attention on the Transfiguration.
Exodus 24:12-18 – When the Israelites leave Egypt they head to Mt. Sinai (Chapter 19) and Moses goes up the mountain to receive the Law of the Lord beginning with the 10 Commandments (chapters 20-23). At the beginning of Chapter 24 Moses comes down the mountain to tell the people all that God had told him (there are no tablets yet). In our passage this week, God tells Moses to come back up and he will be given the tablets with all the commandments and Law. When Moses got there the “Glory of the Lord” descended on the mountain in the form of a fog but to the people below it appeared like a “devouring fire.” Moses enters the cloud and is there for 40 days while God gives him more instructions (chapters 25-31). Moses’ long delay on the mountain is what prompts the Israelites to worship the golden calf (chapter 32).
Psalm 99 – The Psalmist extols the might and holiness of God who is just, equitable, and forgives. This is the God who spoke to Moses, Aaron, and Samuel in the pillars of clouds.
2 Peter 1:16-21 – Peter states in this passage that the message he brought to his churches was not one of myths or fiction, but a message of the glory of Christ that he and others personally witnessed while they were on the mountain with Jesus. Therefore, their witness (prophetic message) is confirmed by God. He calls his churches to pay attention to this light shining in the darkness.
Matthew 17:1-9 – Six days after Peter declares Jesus to be the Messiah, the Son of the Living God, Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up a mountain. Matthew flatly says the Jesus changed (was transfigured) before them. Moses and Elijah appear with Jesus prompting Peter, always brash, to declare that they would build three booths or tents for them. Suddenly they are enveloped by a cloud and the voice of God declares Jesus to be his Son, his beloved. The last three words of God comprise what I call the 11th Commandment of God and the only commandment of God given in the New Testament: “Listen to him”. With that, the disciples literally fall to the ground where they are roused by Jesus who is alone. As they descend the mountain Jesus tells the three disciples to tell no one.
May the written word of the Lord change your life to serve him.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Readings for February 27, 2011
We didn’t get the snow as early as we thought but we finally got the snow. If you are sick and tired of snow like me, just wait until March which is, on average, the snowiest month.
This week we finish (almost) our readings in 1 Corinthians and the Sermon on the Mount (there is one more reading on Ash Wednesday). The themes this week are God’s salvation, God’s judgment, God’s provision.
Isaiah 49:8-16a – The Lord proclaims to the people of Israel that he has saved his people and cared for them and called them to return to the land he gave them. Note the celebratory nature of verse 13 and the feminine nature of God in verse 15. Often we think and speak of God as Father but in this verse God is the perfect mother who never forgets or cares for her children. This fits with the theme in our Matthew reading.
Psalm 131 – Another reading which pictures the feminine side of God as the psalmist speaks of his quiet dependence on God’s provision.
1 Corinthians 4:1-5 – Paul has defended the ministries of all who have worked with the church in Corinth: himself, Apollos and Peter. In verse 1 Paul says that they should simply be thought of as servants of Christ and stewards of God. As such, they should all be judged in their trustworthiness (v. 2). However, he is not worried (v. 3) because the only true judge is God (v. 4). The kicker verse then comes: “Don’t judge because God will shine light into the darkness and reveal the motives of our hearts.” OK, so far so good. But then comes the last phrase of verse 5. Here are several different versions of it:
NRSV – Then each one will receive commendation from God.
NET – Then each will receive recognition from God.
NIV – At that time each will receive their praise from God.
NLT – Then God will give to each one whatever praise is due.
NASB – Then each man’s praise will come to him from God.
KJV – and then shall every man have praise of God.
How do you take this one phrase? The NET, NIV, NASB and KJV are all very conservative translations (in many experts’ opinions) and they seem to say that all people will be judged by God and then God will give them praise/commendation/recognition. Is this, dare I say, universal praise? Does this lead to, dare I say again, universal salvation? Hmmmmm........
Matthew 6:24-34 – First, to get into the mood of the passage, listen to Bobby McFerrin sing “Don’t Worry, Be Happy”.
We skipped the portion of the Sermon on the Mount dealing with almsgiving, prayer, fasting, treasures, and the eye. The section on prayer includes the Lord’s Prayer. We will read these for Ash Wednesday. Verse 24 seems to be a “one-off” on serving two masters: God and wealth. It seems to be out of place with this week’s reading and would better be paired with the section on treasures, verses 19-21. The bulk of the reading is about worrying. While it is medically proven (I think) that excessive worrying leads to all kinds of physical and mental health problems that is not what Jesus is talking about. For Jesus, it is all about trusting in the providence of God. Jesus acknowledges that there are plenty of things to worry about (v. 34) but our hearts never the less need to be given to God in utmost trust. One more thing, reread verse 33. Is this a “works” verse? In other words, if we do the “striving” God will do the “giving”. Or is our “striving” better thought of as giving our hearts and trust over to the power of God’s Spirit working in and through us?
I pray that these words will inspire you to read God’s Word and grow in God’s Spirit!
This week we finish (almost) our readings in 1 Corinthians and the Sermon on the Mount (there is one more reading on Ash Wednesday). The themes this week are God’s salvation, God’s judgment, God’s provision.
Isaiah 49:8-16a – The Lord proclaims to the people of Israel that he has saved his people and cared for them and called them to return to the land he gave them. Note the celebratory nature of verse 13 and the feminine nature of God in verse 15. Often we think and speak of God as Father but in this verse God is the perfect mother who never forgets or cares for her children. This fits with the theme in our Matthew reading.
Psalm 131 – Another reading which pictures the feminine side of God as the psalmist speaks of his quiet dependence on God’s provision.
1 Corinthians 4:1-5 – Paul has defended the ministries of all who have worked with the church in Corinth: himself, Apollos and Peter. In verse 1 Paul says that they should simply be thought of as servants of Christ and stewards of God. As such, they should all be judged in their trustworthiness (v. 2). However, he is not worried (v. 3) because the only true judge is God (v. 4). The kicker verse then comes: “Don’t judge because God will shine light into the darkness and reveal the motives of our hearts.” OK, so far so good. But then comes the last phrase of verse 5. Here are several different versions of it:
NRSV – Then each one will receive commendation from God.
NET – Then each will receive recognition from God.
NIV – At that time each will receive their praise from God.
NLT – Then God will give to each one whatever praise is due.
NASB – Then each man’s praise will come to him from God.
KJV – and then shall every man have praise of God.
How do you take this one phrase? The NET, NIV, NASB and KJV are all very conservative translations (in many experts’ opinions) and they seem to say that all people will be judged by God and then God will give them praise/commendation/recognition. Is this, dare I say, universal praise? Does this lead to, dare I say again, universal salvation? Hmmmmm........
Matthew 6:24-34 – First, to get into the mood of the passage, listen to Bobby McFerrin sing “Don’t Worry, Be Happy”.
We skipped the portion of the Sermon on the Mount dealing with almsgiving, prayer, fasting, treasures, and the eye. The section on prayer includes the Lord’s Prayer. We will read these for Ash Wednesday. Verse 24 seems to be a “one-off” on serving two masters: God and wealth. It seems to be out of place with this week’s reading and would better be paired with the section on treasures, verses 19-21. The bulk of the reading is about worrying. While it is medically proven (I think) that excessive worrying leads to all kinds of physical and mental health problems that is not what Jesus is talking about. For Jesus, it is all about trusting in the providence of God. Jesus acknowledges that there are plenty of things to worry about (v. 34) but our hearts never the less need to be given to God in utmost trust. One more thing, reread verse 33. Is this a “works” verse? In other words, if we do the “striving” God will do the “giving”. Or is our “striving” better thought of as giving our hearts and trust over to the power of God’s Spirit working in and through us?
I pray that these words will inspire you to read God’s Word and grow in God’s Spirit!
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